H&M will begin selling its special collections in most of its stores...

...rather than just a select few...so says today's Wall Street Journal.

Roberto Cavalli at H&M Today

Roberto Cavalli's collection for H&M goes on sale there today. As reported in today's New York Times' Urban Eye:

"There are dozens of graphic pieces for men and women, including sharp military jackets, leopard gowns and spangled little dresses, priced from $20 to $350. The divo himself will make an appearance at the flagship store at Fifth Avenue and 51st Street."

PANTS Pants pants

I am a staunch advocate of pants. I like wearing them. I like shopping for them. In my next life I hope to be a pair of well-constructed pants, preferably black. The one thing I don't love about pants is the price for a good pair. So a friend suggested that I use H&M in my quest for decent pants at a low price. She was right! I just bought 3 pairs of black pants there last night for a sum total of $95 (straight, high-waisted, cords). Now, I have to get them shortened, and possibly taken in a tiny bit, but it will be well worth it.

So how do they offer the public such low-cost trousers? Well, for one, they are not lined. For another, they aren't really meant to last a lifetime. And lastly, they have some kind of Santeria business methodology going on over there at H&M that we as mere mortals are not privy to, lest we meet our maker in a fatal "accident."

Sizes: Club Monaco vs. H&M

Well by now you all should know that I am a "Club Monaco Ho." I can't get enough of that store. I think it has to do with my undying love of the 80s, which I feel "The Club" regularly invokes. I tend to visit the one down on Fifth Avenue, fly back to the sale section and try tons of stuff on, then allow myself one or two "full priced" items from the front. Even when things don't fit me, I don't curse them for mal-sizing. I feel like the sizes are fair - the bottoms are true, if not a bit generous, and the tops are perhaps a bit on the small side, but I tend to need bigger tops than bottoms, so I should blame my hulking back and not the store.

Then, even though I have sort of dissed it, I sometimes run across (yes, I RUN, like the wind!) the street to H&M where I sometimes find pants worth the mere $35 that they usually cost. However, I find that H&M is a little skimpy on the sizing - I can barely squeeze into an 8, which I can usually do without much fanfare at other stores. Often 10s are even too small.

Ladies, for those not in the know, the cheaper a store is, the more likely the sizes are going to be skimpy. Well, at least when you're dealing with most American, mass-market apparel.

Fashion Overload: H&M, Frye, National Jean Co., Burberry

Wow, there's so much good stuff going on, I am just going to throw it out there for you in an blog-collage:

H&M is opening today at 42nd & Madison. Apparently there were lines at the doors in the wee hours.

Frye, those old sorta dyke-y boots of the 70s are kicking it large with some amazing styles and seemingly top-quality leather. I viewed several styles at Lord & Taylor last night.

The National Jean Co. is opening on the Upper East Side next month, and there's a grand opening party on October 11. See details on attachment.

And in closing, outside of the annoying "plaid" that has been beaten to death and then re-beaten, Burberry clothes really do kick ace. Check out the blue on the dress pictured above.

H&M Supports Me

OK, so although I have not been particularly kind to H&M in the past, I found myself at the Fifth Avenue/midtown location with my gift card in hand. Yes it was a total zoo, but I managed to buy a pair of pants, a necklace, a metallic leather belt and - perhaps the most shocking-yet-pleasing purchase - two bras. I would have never thought that H&M would provide me with that kind of support, but I have to say they fit me as good as, if not better than, most any bras I have ever purchased before. And for a mere $16.70 a piece, I intend to return and replenish the bra stock with regularity.

I wish I could provide you with photos of me wearing them, but I am shy.

Guerilla's Hell

I say this with a laughing tone, I swear, because what else can I do? But I was unexpectedly called into my apartment today because all of my stuff was being carted out by a cleaning/warehousing service. Basically my version of hell - people going through my things and packing them away to be stored for an undetermined length of time in New Jersey. So I grabbed some key makeup and shoes and finally relented, "sigh...take the rest away..."

I am sure for the next 2-6 months I will be in a state of confusion.

So in an effort to alleviate this agg and help make me a happy gorilla, my oldest and dearest friends gave me gift cards from DSW, H&M and Lady Foot Locker. I am also looking at a couple of temp. apartments this week, and may end up living in places far better than the one I have temporarily left behind!

This is all too funny and I am actually enjoying the "unknown" at this stage, because I figure it shall lead me to something better. Particularly some new and better clothes, shoes, makeup and furniture.

Stay tuned. I HAVE to!

Old Clothes, New Clothes 1-2-3

Hi all. Whew! My post-apartment-fire life is in turmoil of unknown outcome and I am trying to get everything back in order. It is certainly not boring.

On Wednesday two fine gents from Fabric Renewal in Bloomingdale, NJ came in and took all of my precious beloved clothing (as well as rugs, bedding, curtains, pillows, etc.) to be Ozone treated and then cleaned. They were confident that all could be saved! Phew - my biggest concern alleviated. Seriously, nobody wants to see a gorilla have a nervous breakdown. I am expecting a delivery of my "emergency clothes" today at my temporary living quarters. Let's be hopeful!

In the meantime I have managed to stay somewhat fashionable because I decided if I wasn't at least happy with what I looked like in public, I really would have nothing at this point! My sad camera phone photo shows my new striped tank top and hot pink silk cardigan. Happy...with a bit of 80s rock 'n' roll thrown in. I guess I have to thank H&M for this, even though I haven't spoken so well of them in the past. They definitely hooked me up on a budget in a crunch!

I am now working on finding furnished living quarters for a month, or two...or possibly up to six! These furnished apartment deals are NOT CHEAP. Any ideas? Send them my way!

Next project: clean/save/chuck all housewares, electronics and furniture. Magic 8-ball says: "ask again later..."

Ozone?

So I've been told that they do some kind of Ozone cleaning thing to get the smoke scent out of fabrics. Cross your fingers that this works on my beloved smoke-infested wardrobe.

Tonight I spent hours this evening shopping for work and gym clothes as well as makeup and food at: Sports Authority, Aveda, Club Monaco, H&M and CVS in an fast ditch effort to get some semblance of a wardrobe together. So fast and furiously by the time I got to H&M they said my card was "declined" - I called the bank and they were suspicious of all of the activity so put a hold on it!

A first for GSNYC. Tragedy begets comedy...

Decent Pants from H&M and Filene's

OK, so I've started to make one of my dreams a reality...pants...

I probably watch way too much of "What Not to Wear" on TLC, but it has encouraged me in new ways. One way being: buy pants that fit you in the waist and get them altered. I have taken this idea on board because I believe in my heart of hearts that if you are wearing well-fitting trousers, you will be a happier human and your life will blossom before you.

So this weekend I flitted over to Filene's Basement and H&M. I picked up the two pair you see on hangers (combined cost: $75) and have gotten them altered. I even had the pockets removed and sewed shut on the gray pair, because I decided I did not want to resemble a gas station attendant, more than perhaps I sometimes already do. Granted, the alterations jacked up the price, but also increased the chance that I would wear them -- often -- and happily. And isn't that what pants are for?

The other photo is of my Closet #1 (I have four), where said pants live. Granted, they don't have a lot of breathing room, however, they are in good company.

Topshop coming to Manhattan

Word in from one of my "stringers-in-the-know" is that UK-based Topshop is coming to Manhattan this year.

I guess I'd describe it as a British H&M. I will do a thorough review when it hits town for y'all. Round 'em up, cowgirls!

Wikipedia describes it as:
Topshop is a chain of clothing stores situated (mostly) throughout the United Kingdom.
Topshop's primary sales come from women's fashion and accessories. Its male-clothing counterpart is called 'Topman'. Topshop offers a range of products including clothing, lingerie, sweets, bracelets, bags, hats, purses, nightwear, swim wear, shoes, jewelery, belts as well as a number of other accessories. Topshop also offers maternity, tall, petite and retro ranges.
The store has a had a number of celebrities and designers designing collections, including Kate Moss, whose collection will be released in April 2007.[1] The appointment of Moss was announced just before the departure of CEO Jane Shepherdson, who was seen as the force behind the revival of the formerly dull brand.
Topshop's flagship store is located in Oxford Street, London. Other flagship stores are located in Nottingham- Victoria, Manchester- Arndale and Glasgow- Buchanan Street Topshop is owned by the Arcadia Group, which owns a number of other retail outlets including Burton, Dorothy Perkins, Miss Selfridge, Evans, Wallis and Outfit.
Several branches of Topshop can be found outside the United Kingdom, most notably in Ireland, Gibraltar, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and the Philippines. The chain also boasts stores in Croatia, Austria and the United Arab Emirates.

Target: Coming to Manhattan

OK, so a little bunny (see pic.) has informed me that Target is in fact slated to grace us islanders with its presence as soon as 2008, which could mean in 13 months. So says the New York Post (so I guess this isn't a secret, and I should have known!):
Best Buy is coming to East River Plaza.
The electronics retailer took 45,000 square feet in the East Harlem shopping center that is now under construction. While they will be located on half the third floor, Home Depot is already signed up for the entire first floor while Target has the second.

So don't skip town just yet, it might be worth your $4,000-a-month rent to stick around after all!

In other fun news (from New York magazine's "Fashion Alert" daily email, which you should probably just read instead of my blog anyway):

H&M continues its domination of Manhattan with the opening of its seventh store. The latest location throws its doors open with free T-shirts and 20 percent off all merchandise. When: Noon-8; Where: 111 Fifth Ave., at 18th St. (212-539-1741). [G.S. Note: This is the spot where the sucky Daffy's used to be.]

H&M...Maybe I'm too Old?

H&Mmmmm...Would I like H&M more if I were 20 years old? Possibly. No doubt that their marketing strategy is spot-on, whereby they commission the likes of Stella McCartney and Viktor & Rolf (a wedding dress for $349!?) to provide cutting-edge fashions that are pretty much affordable to the masses. And they're wisely opening a new store on 5th Avenue in the 20s where the sucky Daffy's used to be. But am I going to wait on line for hours to fight over clothes and spend my dosh among scores of tourists? Apparently not, since I have never done so.

I have certainly perused a few H&M stores and bought some items here and there -- but not to any great degree. It's never my true destination, but usually a "why not?" kind of visit. I guess I feel that the stores are great big giant messes and the apparel is not top-notch. In fact, the two pair of pants that I own are cast-offs acquired at a clothing swap and some other tops I bought have since worn out. I guess the best-looking piece I have is the red tuxedo-like shirt pictured here, but it's not long for this world I can assure you. I had to sew up a seam about 10 minutes after I bought it. If I'm going to buy disposable clothing, they need to cost a dollar.

Changing topics, I just heard about a new site called greenfinds.com, where you can go green with a free daily ecomail that provides you with one eco tip or organic product. Find out how you can charge your phone or iPod with a solar backpack and where to find soap with a package that turns into a basil plant. Or what about getting paid to recycle? Or how about organic CLOTHES (roll 'em up and smoke 'em)?